8/4/2013
Delaware International Speedway
MATT JESTER DEBUTS NEW BIG BLOCK AND TAKES IT TO VICTORY
By CHARLIE BROWN, DELMAR, DE – Matt Jester proved that newer sometimes is better as he debuted his new Bicknell modified and drove it to the win in the 25-lap NAPA Big Block Modified feature, Saturday night at the Delaware International Speedway.
Dana Walker and Dale Hawkins both started the night off well winning the qualifying heats and with the zero inversion draw they would start first and second. Matt Jester had destroyed his primary car about three weeks ago and on Saturday night he brought out the new Clearview Farms Bicknell. From the drop of the green he was on a charge working past Hawkins and Walker to lead lap one. Jamie Mills had started in second and was up to second by lap two.
The only caution of the race would come on lap five when Shawn Ward came to a stop. On the restart Jester started to slowly pull away from Mills. Howard O’Neal was turning in another solid performance as he worked by Walker for third.
With five to go the advantage was over two and a half seconds for Jester. Beau Wilkins had taken fourth from H.J. Bunting but the order of the top five would not change in the remaining laps. Jester would drive to his first win since winning opening night in April. Mills maintained his point lead finishing 3.247 seconds back in second with O’Neal third. Fourth went to Wilkins and Bunting rounded out the top five.
“We changed the color to red to try to change our luck,� said Jester. “I guess it worked. My guys have worked to midnight all week to get this car ready. I own a lot to them.�
NAPA Big Block Finish: 1. Matt Jester; 2. Jamie Mills; 3. Howard O’Neal; 4. Beau Wilkins; 5. H.J. Bunting; 6. Dana Walker; 7. Brad Trice; 8. Dale Hawkins; 9. Scott VanGorder; 10. Drew Simmons; 11. Matt Hawkins; 12. Shawn Ward.
